Gay couples in the Nation’s capital waited in line yesterday to receive marriage licenses.

The Washington D.C. City Council legalized gay marriage three months ago with the overwhelming passage of the Civil Marriage Equality Act.

In the weeks and days prior, religious groups tried to stall the act’s March 3 enactment, but in each instance the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977 countered the groups’ efforts, claiming no person could be discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation.

The tensions between the secular and religious-right groups began in May of 2009 when the city council voted to recognize same-sex marriages for the first time.

For more information, visit Time Magazine.